Dallas Mavericks’ roster growing with signings of Harris, Blair

Devin Harris spent his first four seasons in Dallas, helping the Dallas Mavericks reach the 2006 NBA Finals, then was traded for some dude named Jason Kidd during the 2008 All-Star break. Since then, Kidd helped win a title for the Mavs, while Harris has played for the Nets, Jazz and Hawks.

Now, the team that took a gamble on him 10 years ago, is giving him a second chance.

The Mavs officially signed Harris, more than a month since free agency began. Harris was set to join the Mavs earlier last month, but failed a physical exam after showing a toe injury.

Dallas also dipped into San Antonio’s system and signed big man Dejuan Blair. Blair, who played all four years with the Spurs, was once a starter until Tiago Splitter came along and had a career year last season. He is set to receive the veteran’s minimum at $1.4 million.

In 251 games, Harris averaged 9.4 ppg and 3.4 apg. He shot 48 percent in his last season with the Mavs and ever since, has struggled from the field. Harris is a career 44 percent shooter, but shot 44, 44, 40, 43, 41, 45, and 44 in the years after Dallas.

Harris will likely be Jose Calderon’s backup and the two will help mentor and form rookie guard Shane Larkin into a bona fide point guard.

Blair, the 2009 Big East POY out of Pittsburgh, has averaged 7.8 ppg and 5.8 rpg while shooting 53 percent in his four years with San Antonio.

Blair and Harris are one of nine new faces for the Mavericks. Along with rookies Larkin, Gal Mekel and Ricky Ledo, the Mavs also signed Calderon, Monta Ellis, Samuel Dalembert, and Wayne Ellington.

Mark Cuban, who was trying to sign Dwight Howard (who ended up going to Houston), thinks the team is better off not signing Howard. Instead of getting an all-star center, the Mavs have gone on to fill their roster with depth and players with experience, something that was similar to their title team in 2011.

About Brian Gosset

Brian Gosset, who was born and raised in Hawaii, is a senior at Northern Arizona University and seeking a degree in Journalism. He is a former beat writer for the school paper, The Lumberjack. Brian currently works for the school as a Student Assistant for Athletic Communications. He loves the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma Sooners, Lumberjacks, Philadelphia Eagles and Hawaii Warriors. You can follow Brian on Twitter @Gosset41.